Key Highlights
- Maccabi Tel Aviv’s visit to Aston Villa in the Europa League is drawing significant attention due to safety concerns.
- No away fans will attend the game amid fears of a toxic atmosphere and potential violence.
- Over 700 police officers are being deployed for security, including units with horses and drones.
- Protests by pro-Palestinian groups and counter-protests in support of Israel are expected at the match.
Preliminary Concerns and Decision-Making
The draw of Maccabi Tel Aviv against Aston Villa for an away fixture in the Europa League has been met with apprehension from local authorities. The prospect of a predominantly Muslim area hosting an Israeli team brought forth concerns, especially following the Israel-Gaza war. This tension was so high that there were even discussions about removing Israeli teams from international competitions.
After a ceasefire was agreed last month, it became evident that Maccabi Tel Aviv would continue in the Europa League and travel to Birmingham.
The fixture has been under intense scrutiny since then, particularly after the decision was made to ban away fans due to safety concerns. This decision has drawn significant political controversy.
Security Measures and Police Deployment
The decision not to allow Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters into Villa Park is based on current intelligence and previous incidents involving violence and hate crimes, according to West Midlands Police. More than 700 police officers will be deployed for the match, including those with horses, dogs, drones, and road policing units. A no-fly zone will also be in place around the ground.
“It looks like a substantial policing operation with some quite powerful resources including mounted branch, drones, specialist officers, in addition to the stewards that will be at the game anyway,” stated Ron Winch, an associate professor in policing and former senior police officer from Birmingham City University. He added that this is “a reasonable and proportionate response to the threats and risks that the match faces.”
Expected Protests and Fan Reactions
The potential for protests by pro-Palestinian groups, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War Coalition, Muslim Association of Britain, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Kashmir solidarity campaign, and Palestinian Forum in Britain has heightened concerns. Counter-protests in support of Israel are also anticipated.
Birmingham Police Commander Ch Supt Tom Joyce confirmed that protests by different groups will take place on the day, with plans in place to balance the right to protest with public safety. The game is scheduled for Thursday, and thousands of tickets remained unsold as of Wednesday morning, with Villa Park’s away end likely to be closed.
Villa fan Simon expressed concerns but acknowledged that he feels safe attending the match: “I don’t feel like I would be unsafe going to the game but I can understand there will be a lot of people who feel like that. I do worry that there will be trouble.” Meanwhile, another fan Dani decided not to attend due to personal safety concerns.
Conclusion
The measures put in place by local authorities aim to ensure the match proceeds smoothly despite the heightened tensions and expected protests. The goal is for supporters to enjoy the football fixture while maintaining public safety. Ch Supt Joyce emphasized that the objective throughout planning was to balance freedom of expression with community protection.
